Saturday, September 13, 2014

Lots of important things to catch from this video. It starts with City Manager Bornstein talking about the relationship between the general fund, property values and how the city is absorbing increasing costs. He also talks about making electric rates on par with FPL and how many things are in the works concerning the operation of the utility. Vice Mayor Maxwell brings up some historical facts related to contributions from the utility to the general fund. That begins around the 2:30 mark. At 3:33 he talks about the highest rates on the planet. He finishes his comments by saying that we don't have the highest taxes around, we have the highest tax rate (5:50). Commissioner McVoy responds at the 6:24 mark.

Commissioner Maxwell made a claim at the 9/9/14 Commission meeting, which he knew was an exaggeration, that Lake Worth had the highest electric rates on "the planet." As a coming video will show, Commissioner McVoy corrected him by saying that "We certainly weren't the highest on the planet. Most other countries are paying at least 30 cent per kilowatt hour. We are paying on the order of 10, 11, 12. They're paying three times more. We are no where near the highest on the planet. Let's not put out information that is just not factual."

I agree. Let's not do that. Italy pays the highest electric rates on the planet and, as the above graph shows, they are around 20 cents per kilowatt hour. That is roughly two times what our rates are, not three. We are higher than the U.S. average, which should not come as a surprise.

Click title for link to an article that reviews the plight of many Palm Beach County municipalities when it comes to keeping up with repairs to their road infrastructure. It appears that they're not. It is a consistent problem up and down the coast, and Lake Worth is mentioned for its attempt to address the issue through the failed bond attempt. From the article:

No city knows that better than Lake Worth. After years of neglect, poor construction and spotty maintenance, the city is facing an infrastructure crisis.The potholes forming on city streets have become so prevalent that the city has created a pothole hotline for residents to report them. Also, sidewalks all over the city are broken. With little money for resurfacing — about $200,000 a year — city crews resort to patching, creating checker board patterns on city roads.The city tried to tackle the problem by including $37.8 million worth of road construction, resurfacing and sidewalk projects as part of a $62.3 million bond focused on repairing critical infrastructure. But when it went before voters in August for approval, they rejected it.And yet, Mayor Pam Triolo said she gets complaints every day from residents asking her to do something about the city's roads."This didn't happen overnight. It happened over 50 years," she said. "Unfortunately, road issues and infrastructure is not a sexy subject. Past city councils did not invest money in it ... We forgot about the basics."

Around the 18 minute mark, Commissioner McVoy engages in questions related to how much money the electric utility contributes to the total budget. At the 22 minute mark, Mayor Triolo reminds us that changes were made back in the 1980s that allowed the city to use utility monies to supplement. This was earlier in the meeting and laid the groundwork for what was discussed later on regarding the subject of infrastructure repairs.

Some interesting details are revealed about the actual trains that will run on the All Aboard Florida tracks. Things definitely seem to be on the "fast track." There is also a review of some of the changes for the West Palm Beach station. Click title for link.

All Aboard Florida’s express rail service connecting Miami to Orlando will use locomotives and passenger coaches built by Siemens, a global company with strong ties to central Florida.The diesel-electric locomotives and stainless steel coaches will be built at Siemens solar-powered rail manufacturing hub in Sacramento, Calif., the companies announced Thursday. All Aboard Florida initially plans to purchase five train sets, each consisting of two locomotives and four passenger coaches.Siemens has a long-standing alliance with the Walt Disney Company, where several of All Aboard Florida’s top executives previously worked. All Aboard’s President and Chief Operating Officer Donald Robinson, President and Chief Development Officer Michael Reininger, and Vice President of Design & Construction Eric Claussen all have ties to Disney.

An urban garden in West Palm Beach may go unrealized, due to lack of water and no business plan. But help is on the way. Click title for link.

Community Development Block Grants to pay for a $5,000 water hookup for the city’s first planned urban garden won’t work. The catch: profit.Commissioners heard at their Aug. 25 work session that organizers need a new connection to the city’s water supply. It will cost about $5,000, and organizers would like the city to pay. In September 2013, commissioners voted for a three-year, $10-a-year deal to lease to Urban Growers the 1.52-acre city-owned parcel at 1400 Henrietta Ave., north of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard and west of Dixie Highway.Urban Growers founder Stewart W. Bosley, Jr., hoped to grow seeds off-site, transplant them by the spring of this year, have a formal dedication in November and see his first harvest by late December. But nothing’s been planted yet. Delays set in, chief among them the water issue.

This is the archived edition of the show which was live from noon to 12:45 p.m.today. The show featured Michele L. Jawando Vice President, Legal Progress at American Progress, who spoke with me from her Washington, D.C. office. In our discussion, she points out that Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties have the highest discard rates of provisional ballots in the State of Florida. Much of the reason for that, it turns out, is the need for additional poll worker training. The letter from the Supervisor of Elections office attorney is discussed at the end of the episode.

It seems to be that one of the common links to high ranking communities of this list is level of education or access to institutions of higher learning. For example, State College, Pennsylvania and East Lansing, Michigan are the number one and two highest ranked smaller communities in this survey. Both are homes to major public universities. Coincidentally, both Penn State and Michigan State vie for the title of the first Land Grant universities under the Morill Act. Beyond the top ten, Coral Gables, Florida was the only city to make the longer list from the state of Florida. Perhaps its rank is influenced by the proximity to the University of Miami. Click title for link.

Consistent with the Chapel-by-the-Lake lawsuit, the developer of the 14 acre Rybovich property will be intervening in the lawsuit filed by citizens against the project. Click title for link. From the article:

Developers of the massive village planned for the Rybovich yacht center can fully participate in a resident’s suit challenging the city’s approval of the complex in April, Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Meenu Sasser ruled Monday.The 14-acre Rybovich development is a joint project by Huizenga Holdings, which owns Rybovich, and the Related Group.Their lawyers had asked the judge in July to grant standing “due to the direct and immediate impact the decision in this case will have upon the property owners.”

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Join your host Wes Blackman as he welcomes Michele L. Jawando, who is the Vice President for Legal Progress at American Progress, to the High Noon in Lake Worth studios. Legal Progress is the legal policy program at the Center for American Progress. No matter the issue—health care, immigration, marriage equality, offshore oil drilling, privacy, ethics—the judiciary will continue to play an increasingly important role in the lives of hardworking Americans as well as in the success of the progressive legislative agenda. Through legal and policy analysis, communications and public education and convening key stakeholders, Legal Progress is helping to push the American legal system in a more progressive direction and educate the public about the impact of the courts on issues they care most about.

In the wake of the August 26th election, we will share experiences and talk about voting rights and voter disenfranchisement. Click title for link to live show between 12 and 1 p.m. Friday, September 12th, or after the show airs for the archived version. Leave questions as comments below.

I should learn to keep my camera rolling during break. You never know what you will stumble upon. This is an interesting exchange between Palm Beach Post reporter and our City Attorney, particularly the gesticulating. You can see the other blogger follow Chris Persaud out of the room soon after he leaves. Hmmm. This is his article from the meeting.

Playing around with the YouTube video editor. The second half of the video is a slow motion version of the first. This happens to be one of my favorite songs. You can select from quite a library there and all the rights are taken care of. If you want to "monetize" your videos, you can't use their music.

Changes to the design of the West Palm Beach All Aboard Florida station are in the works. Staff suggested reducing the number of crossbeams that were included in the initial design. This will allow more light in and create a lighter looking structure at the same time. Click title for link. From the article:

Although the station can be constructed without the city commission’s approval, All Aboard officials have agreed that the plan would be reviewed by city officials. The review, known as the “plans and plats” process, typically allows city officials to recommend changes to a project based on a host of issues, including traffic impact and public safety.The changes were presented at a “plans and plats” meeting Wednesday, city officials said.Plans for the station call for a sleek narrow facility of stacked concrete and glass at Datura and Evernia streets to the west of the Florida East Coast Railway tracks. An elevated lounge the length of the 800-foot train platform will have seats for 180 people, while a U-shaped drop-off area will ease departures and pickups.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Commissioner McVoy begins this segment of the meeting by reviewing his thoughts about last Friday's meeting on the election, but extends his comments to the bond issue and finding a way to fund the work that the city needs to do. Commissioner Maxwell shares what he has learned about the sober house proliferation issue after meeting with congressional representatives. Commissioner Szerdi talks about the importance of spreading the neighborhood watch concept throughout the city. Commissioner Amoroso mentions the success of the beach clean-up and dedication of the new fire truck. The Mayor expresses her dismay at the Chamber of Commerce unilaterally cancelling the Tropical Triathlon. Watch the video to catch things that I have not mentioned here.

Hello Mangos-We will be holding our first neighborhood meeting after the summer break next Thursday, September 18th at Compass on Dixie and 2nd Ave North (across from Publix). It will be at 7pm. We invite all to come. Regards,Mango Groves Neighborhood Association.

Here is Greg Rice's presentation from last night's 9/9/14 City Commission meeting. He is president of the Neighborhood Association.

At the beginning of the video, the City Manager clarifies some items that are on the Consent Agenda regarding utility rates. He reminds the Commission and the public that these are mostly continuations of already existing rates, and where there are changes, these are consistent with discussions that preceded during the budget preparation process. He noted that the increase in sewerage charges includes a pass-through increase from the East Central Regional Sewer and that water rates will increase at a rate of 5% a year. That was determined by a rate study that was undertaken by the city and discussed at one of the many budget-related meetings.

Intriguing review of bridges in the Portland, Oregon area where a new one is about to open. Taking the "complete streets" notion a step further, it is designed for every mode of traffic BUT automobiles. It may soon become most people's favorite bridge in the area. Click title for link. From the article:

The Steel Bridge, however, will soon be getting some serious competition in the multimodal department in the form of Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People. Due for completion in the fall of 2015 at an estimated cost of $134.6 million, Tilikum Crossing is the first Willamette River-traversing bridge to be built in the Portland metro area since the double-deck tied-arch Fremont Bridge opened to traffic in 1973. When Tilikum Crossing officially opens for business it will accommodate city buses, MAX Light Rail, the Portland Streetcar, cyclists, pedestrians, and unipipers.Notice something missing from that list?Tilikum Crossing will not be open to private cars and trucks (emergency vehicles are permitted) making it the longest —17,000 glorious, gridlock-free feet — car-less transit bridge in the U.S.Sorry other Portland bridges, but it looks like in a year or so you may be bumped from the top of many a “favorite” list.

Notable are Bob Lepa's remarks at the 3:00 minute mark. His comments are continued by Peggy Fisher at the 8:58 minute mark. It relates to the behavior of the other blogger. Commissioner Szerdi responds to them at 14:50. The Mayor's comments afterwards, at the end of this segment, summarize her reasons for pursuing infrastructure comments in the manner the city did.

I was distressed to read Sunday about the cancellation of the Tropical Triathlon (“Chamber cancels triathlon, cites costs”).

The Tropical Triathlon was a boom to the local Lake Worth economy for nearly 18 years, attracting world-class athletes from all over the world. Local hotels and bed and breakfast were filled during the race weekend, restaurants were bustling each day and shops were filled with shoppers. Dr Alex Keith shared his vision with the city to help with its image at a time when Lake Worth had very few events. He worked hard in building a world-class event.The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce cites the reason it canceled the event was that businesses did not want to sponsor this event. Rather, they want assistance from the chamber. What assistance has the chamber given since it merged with the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce? Businesses sponsored this event for 18 years, making it profitable for the chamber.The real underling issue the triathlon was canceled is the Central palm Beach chamber doesn’t support Lake Worth businesses.When the merger accrued nearly four years ago, officials promised to keep a presence in downtown Lake Worth, continue hosting the city’s signature events, and support local businesses with networking opportunities. Events are being canceled, and networking events are held out west.Maybe it’s time either for new leadership at the helm of the chamber or the birth of a new Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce. I prefer the latter.TOM RAMICCIOLAKE WORTH

The City Attorney reviews the list of problems identified during the City Commission meeting last Friday night (9/5/14). He also reports that the Supervisor of Elections watched the meeting and "took umbrage" at the issues raised by the city. According to what we heard, the Supervisor of Elections office thinks the election was one of the "smoothest" in recent memory. There is still dialogue between the city and the supervisor's office regarding requests for information and the cost of retrieval. The $400 cost is considered high and the city wants to know how that amount came about. And the Supervisor of Elections says that poll-workers who were found trying to influence the vote will be terminated, if true.

Not very responsive, to say the least. And this report happened at the end of the City Commission meeting after I removed the camera from the tripod, so please forgive the camera movement. The content is what is important.

Ask the Tech!If you have questions about basic Microsoft Windows computing; Android tablets and smart phones; the Internet (no Facebook or Twitter); Microsoft Office software; ask your questions at our “Ask the Tech” open forum. You will be able to ask your questions and the instructor will answer them as best as possible. Sorry, no Apple product questions.Saturdays | September 27 | October 4 | November 1 | December 6 | 2pm - 3:30pmFree, open to all | City Hall Annex Meeting Room | 414 Lake Avenue

3rdSaturday Book ClubThe following titles have been selected for the fall Book Club discussions. Books are available at the library.Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Klein | Saturday, October 18, 2014 | 2:00 pm

The Friends will be holding their fall used book sale on Saturday, November 15th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the Cultural Plaza at 414 Lake Ave. Prices range from 50 cents to 5 dollars with some specially priced items. We appreciate your kind donations, but please sort your donated items before bringing them to the Lake Worth Public Library at 15 North M St during regular hours. Volunteers are also needed to help with the sale. Please call the library at 561-533-7354 for additional information.We do not take…* books with covers falling off* books with damp, brittle, or missing page* books with markings in them* buggy books* textbooks older than 5 years* travel guides older than 5 years* DVDs and music CDs not in original media cases* Items on recorded media* Encyclopedias older than 5 years

Training Sessions for Volunteers Set for Sept. 26 and Oct. 17As it continues to expand to provide nutritious meals to additional homebound seniors in central Palm Beach County, Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches has a growing need for volunteers to help with mid-day deliveries, meal preparation and administrative support.

The non-profit organization, which expects to serve close to 18,000 meals this year, hosts regular volunteer orientation sessions for those interested in the program. The next two orientation sessions will be on Sept. 26 and on Oct. 17. Both sessions begin at 10 a.m. and last about one hour. They will be held at the organization’s office located at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1300 S. Olive Ave., in West Palm Beach.

“Our orientation sessions are a good way for anyone who wants to get involved in their community to learn more about our program and the opportunities we have for them to help make a difference.” says Debbie Emerick, Director of Volunteer Services.

Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches serves the West Palm Beach area and downtown Lake Worth as well as several western Palm Beach County communities, including Century Village, Cresthaven and Golden Lakes Village.

Those interested in volunteering must over 18 years old and are required to pass a background check. A valid driver’s license is required for people delivering meals.

To find out more call 561-802-6979 or visit www.mowpb.org. At a Glance

What: Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches Volunteer OrientationWhen: Friday Sept. 26 and Friday Oct. 17Time: 10 a.m.Where: Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1300 S. Olive Ave., West Palm BeachWhy: The orientation provides prospective volunteers with an opportunity to find out how they can help Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches provide nutritious meals to homebound seniors.More Information: Visit www.mowpb.org or call 561-802-6979.

"Complete Streets" is a design concept for transportation facilities to better accommodate all modes of traffic: pedestrian, bicycle, transit and automobile in an even-handed manner. It's taking hold in traffic planning circles and the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization, which Lake Worth is represented by Mayor Triolo, is looking to incorporate the concept into future facility planning.

The concept was raised by Commissioner McVoy as an example of how we shouldn't just redo our streets the way they are, we should plan for the future and make sure that our new streets under the Lake Worth 2020 program had that it mind as a basis. Never mind that the street in front of that Commissioner's property (was going to say "home", but for some reason it isn't homesteaded, so not sure what is up with that) is being redone as it was before. And the whole point is moot now with the bond not passing, we will not have money to improve road rights-of-way now, period. Click title for link to more information on the concept. From the article:

More roads built for pedestrians and bicyclists and not just vehicles could be springing up in Palm Beach County as interest grows in the county for "complete streets."
Many roads are designed to get motorists to their destinations as quickly as possible while walkers, cyclists and public transportation users are afterthoughts. Complete Streets puts those users on equal footing with drivers, making it easy to cross roads, walk to shops, bike to work or catch a bus.
"It's time for Palm Beach County to step to the plate and help cities adapt to complete streets," said Jim Smith, a pedestrian and bike advocate. "There are areas where there is concentrated pedestrian traffic that need to be pedestrian protection zones."
Smith, a Delray Beach resident, said he plans to ask the city to adopt a complete streets policy.
The Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization, the county's transportation planning agency, has begun a push for the concept.

Chair of the Hendry County Commission responds to the Sierra Club's indictment of Big Sugar in this op/ed piece. Click title for link. Here are some excerpts:

As a Hendry County commissioner and as a local business owner, I am disturbed by a Sierra Club representative’s remarks in a recent Palm Beach Post article. I am disturbed but not surprised at the complete disregard of the employment reality, and as usual the apparent assault on the U.S. Sugar/Sugar Hill Sector Plan — “to get the sugar company gone.”Let me make it perfectly clear to the Sierra Club and anyone else that is able to read and comprehend the reality of life around the Hendry/Glades communities. Getting rid of or destroying the sugar industry and/or agriculture in pretty much any way, shape, or fashion is synonymous with getting rid of or destroying Clewiston and most of, if not all of, Hendry County and the Glades. We exist because of agriculture. If agriculture does not directly employ you or your family, it employs a subsidiary industry that supports agriculture.[Later...]From where I sit, The Sierra Club’s remarks were a typical misinformed and biased shot at agriculture (namely the sugar industry).I will end like I end with most of the people I meet in this world. I invite anyone to come on out to Hendry County and take a tour of our backyard. You will be amazed at the natural beauty and sheer volume of wildlife — all perpetuated by generations of agriculture producers.

The last analysis of the Citizens Against Unfair Taxation (CAUT) treasurer's reports was from the P7 report (8/9/14 to 8/21/14). Before I regale you with the latest a recap of the CAUT PAC. The first CAUT report (P1) covers 6/1/14 to 6/20/14. Note that CAUT registered their PAC with the County, not the City of Lake Worth. The Florida Election Statutes clearly state that a PAC formed in the County CANNOT interfere in local municipal issues. For CAUT to oppose the Lake Worth bond vote they had to file their PAC with the City of Lake Worth, not the County. They also had to cite a "specified agent" which they did not do; another violation of State Statutes.

Complaints have already been filed with the State of Florida Elections Commission.

The existence of CAUT was discovered only by accident and I reported this on my blog on July 10. They did not notify the city of their intentions until after their PAC was discovered. McGiveron's PAC organized under the veil of secrecy for over a month. Note that McGiveron is a constant critic of the city for not being transparent. Why would McGiveron and Dorsey organize to fight the city bond plan, raise and spend money, under the radar in secret? You can make your own conclusions.

Now to the latest reports: CAUT filed 2 amendments, 1 waiver, and 1 original since 8/21. Curiously CAUT shows NO monetary contributions on these reports. The last contribution was by McGiveron on 8/19. Also interesting they show no expenditures for Robocalls. On election day CAUT burned up the phone lines with calls to supervoters. One supervoter reported having four messages on her machine on election day (in the afternoon, also very curious).

Dennis Dorsey, the CAUT treasurer, is either showing his sense of humor or he is thumbing his nose at the city and its residents, you decide. On 8/25 he reported an expenditure for $3.98 for "water for sign wavers." The water wasn't bought at Publix downtown or even our Dollar Store. He got the water from Sam's Club in Lantana. It gets better. He also reported paying two sign wavers $90 each on 8/26. One of the "sign wavers" doesn't reside in Lake Worth but in unincorporated Palm Beach County off Military Trail.

Chris Persaud's article on last Friday night's meeting. I am not sure of his count about the number of people speaking. It seems low to me. The room was full and that surprised me for a Friday night meeting that started at 5:30 p.m. Click title for link to article. Here are a few things to remember:

Aaronson [former County Commissioner Burt Aaronson] was part of a parade of speakers who told Democratic activists Thursday that gubernatorial nominee Crist needs to win by lopsided margins in the Democratic strongholds of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties if he hopes to prevail statewide against Republican Gov. Rick Scott in November.“In South Florida, it’s not as much about persuasion,” said Broward County Democratic Chairman Mitch Ceasar, who ventured north of the Hillsboro Canal to fire up Palm Beach County Dems. “Yes, there are independents in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. And yes we have to work them. But in South Florida, this is a base-vote election. We have to turn out (Democratic) numbers. If South Florida votes, Charlie Crist and Annette Taddeo are elected.”Palm Beach County Democratic Chairwoman Terrie Rizzo has set a goal of a 100,000-vote victory margin for Crist in Palm Beach County. In 2010, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink carried the county by 71,788 votes en route to a narrow statewide loss. In 2006, Democrat Jim Davis won the county by 78,668 votes while losing statewide to then-Republican Crist.

"At the Grand Re-Opening and First Anniversary celebration, Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo and NAPC liaison, Commissioner John Szerdi will offer their congratulations to the NAPC for the role the 'Front Porch' has played in building a stronger community of Neighbors in Lake Worth. One of the most popular features of the 'Front Porch' is a large map indicating all the neighborhoods in Lake Worth. Hundreds of people have been photographed in front of the map smiling and pointing with pride to their own Neighborhood. Hundreds more have signed up to receive information and become involved in the Neighborhood Association serving their own area."